Gay Marriage

[channel1]

I haven't been following this thread, since this topic almost defines "beaten to death", but there was a news story today that you folks may find amusing:

http://toronto.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/Vie...divorce20040721
Toronto couple seeks same-sex divorce

Toronto — A Toronto lesbian couple that got married shortly after a court legalized same-sex marriage last summer are now fighting for the right to get divorced.

The couple, known only as M.M. and J.H., were married last June a week after the Ontario Court of Appeal legalized same-sex marriage. They separated five days later.

But a lawyer for one of the women said that the federal Divorce Act bars them from legally splitting since it still defines a spouse as someone of the opposite sex.

"Although we've had about 3,000 same-sex marriages in Canada since last June, same-sex couples can get married but literally can't get divorced at the moment," said Martha McCarthy.

"It's unconstitutional to give straight people the freedom to divorce, and not gays and lesbians."

McCarthy said the Act must be ammended, either by parliament or a judge under the Charter of Right and Freedoms.

-rcv-